Fauna
Invertebrate

Hopkins' Rose

Okenia rosacea

Also known as Hopkins' Rose Nudibranch, Rosy Nudibranch, Pink Hopkins' Rose

Hopkins' Rose nudibranchs resemble vibrant pink, shaggy pom-poms scattered across rocky Pacific tide pools. These striking sea slugs derive their brilliant coloration directly from the pink encrusting bryozoans they consume. During warm-water ocean events, they can experience dramatic population blooms, carpeting the intertidal zone in bright rose hues.

MarineColorfulCarnivorous
Hopkins' Rose reference
Jerry Kirkhart from Los Osos, Calif. / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyIntegripelta bilabiata
Predators
  • Fish
  • Crabs
  • Sea stars
ThreatsClimate change, ocean warming, and habitat degradation
HabitatsRocky intertidal zones, tide pools, and shallow subtidal reefs
Life spanAbout 1 year
Classification
  1. FamilyGoniodorididae
  2. SpeciesOkenia rosacea
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Look in tide pools: Search shallow, rocky intertidal pools during low tide, especially where pink bryozoan crusts are visible.
  • Do not touch: Their delicate, long papillae are easily damaged by handling.
  • Watch for blooms: Look for them during warm-water events when populations can dramatically spike.
Related species
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